Trojan Sound System's England playlist

From the Specials in Coventry to Massive Attack in Bristol, England has long had a love affair with Jamaican music. Here, Trojan Sound System select some of their favourite Jamaican songs that have influenced English ska and reggae acts

Rudy, A Message to You – Dandy Livingstone, 1967

An amazing amount of people think the Specials' 1979 version of this song is the original, as is often the case with many classic rocksteady, ska and reggae songs covered by English acts. Respect and love to Jerry Dammers who put Coventry on the musical map. The Specials were one of the best live acts to come from this country. Jerry went on to show himself as a true musical iconoclast and a massive talent that England should be proud of.

One Step Beyond – Prince Buster, 1965

Like the Midlands' 2 Tone acts, Madness, from north London, started out playing ska, English style. They covered this Prince Buster classic to get their second hit (and the title track from their debut album) in 1979. They're still a fantastic outfit both on record and live, and here's where it all started. This song has energy, as do the bands that have recorded it.

You Are My Angel – Horace Andy, 1973

The Bristol Sound, epitomised by Massive Attack and Portishead, was slower, more sombre and more dubby than what was going on in most music in England in the 1990s. This Horace Andy track was the sort of reggae blueprint that was used to make and inspire their music and sound. Super soulful and deep culture roots from one of the main ports that imported the culture of JA to this fair isle.

Black Star Liner – Fred Locks, 1975

We've always been a maritime nation. It's a bit of a tenuous link but this Fred Locks tribute to Marcus Garvey (before Marcus was imprisoned, he was raising money to build a fleet of Black Star Liners to take black people back to Africa from JA) is in honour of our sea-going heritage and is dedicated here to the people of Southampton!

Take Me Home, Country Roads – Toots and the Maytals, 1973

People love to sing along to this tune, it's got a really happy feel. The song has gospel overtones: "Country roads take me home, to the place I belong," but it's here to represent everyone in England who doesn't live in a town and for whom city life is a bit unnatural. The link between reggae and country music is very strong due to early sound system culture in JA and long-wave radio being one of the only media available to the island. Rebel music all the way!

Blackbird (Blackbird Singing) – The Paragons, 1968

Beatles' covers don't often work, and it takes a brave soul to even try, but this is one of the most successful ever. The great John Holt was lead singer with the Paragons, before his hugely productive solo career. This is, of course, dedicated to the city of Liverpool. Ironically, given the thrust of the song (Paul McCartney said it's about "the black people's struggle in the southern states"), Liverpool's wealth and growth came from the slave trade.

Christopher Columbus – Little Roy, 1977

This one is for all the people who were obliged to leave this country, either owing to oppression or just plain poverty and who populated other countries, notably the USA. This is a fantastic song. Little Roy says that black people have no reason to love Christopher Columbus …

Revolution – Dennis Brown, 1984

The UK was the first country in the world to industrialise. The huge wealth of the nation in the 19th century was built on engineering inventions from the north of England (and the south of Scotland). The money created in those regions was drawn to London, never to return. This song is dedicated to those areas. Reach out!

Red Wine to Gaze – Sizzla vs UB40, 2006

This one is dedicated to UB40's home town of Birmingham. People love to dance to this mash up with Sizzla, where we take our little journey dancehall style. The version by Tony Tribe (1969) is one of the greatest reggae songs ever performed (the song was written by Neil Diamond) and UB40's cover feels right being jumped on by Sizzla.

One Love – Bob Marley, 1977

Anyone who travels knows that England is one of the most successful multicultural societies in the world. This is dedicated to the many immigrants who are here. Incidentally, this tune was recorded in London during Bob Marley's self-imposed exile from JA, when people were trying to kill him in his home country. It is from Marley's Exodus album, also recorded in London, which is regarded as one of the best albums of the last century. Too right.